JON-LEWIS DICKINSON is the Prizefighter Cruiserweights II champion after a night of high drama and tension. Durham-based Dickinson, 24 on Monday, floored substitute Nick Okoth three times in the final and claimed a knockout victory at the York Hall in London’s East End.
However, there had been an earlier twist as pre-tournament favourite Herbie Hide became the first fighter to be unable to continue after winning a fight..
Hide was in complete control in his quarter-final against Wayne Brooks and floored the Welshman in the opening round. But a clash of heads in the second resulted in Hide sustaining a bad cut near his right eye.
Hide eventually won the fight on points, but, with an expected shot at the WBC world title later in the year, he reluctantly withdrew on medical advice.
But nothing could take the glory away from Dickinson, who now extends his undefeated record to 8-0.
“Winning Prizefighter proves what I’m all about,” said a delighted Dickinson. “It’s absolutely fantastic. I said I would win it and I have done.
“It was tough but as soon as I got into my rhythm I really enjoyed it and it was a great night – the best ever experience.
“I was here to box anyone in front of me. Herbie Hide pulled out but he has only got two arms and two legs just like everyone else. Personally, watching him tonight, I think I would’ve beaten him.
“But I still had to do a job on the person in front of me and that was Nick Okoth.
“I’m still just a novice and I’ve never done four rounds but it does make a statement to the rest of the division how good I am.”
Hide’s injury meant Okoth, who earlier in the day had been working in his day job as a firefighter in Twickenham, became the first reserve to be used in Prizefighter history.
A fresh Okoth then claimed the biggest victory of his career with a points triumph over former Commonwealth champion Darren Corbett.
Dickinson had made his way to the final with a controversial split-decision points verdict over Londoner Leon Williams in the quarter-final.
He then followed that with a stunning victory over Mark Krence, a two-time British heavyweight title challenger, who retired at the end of the first round after being floored twice.
In the other fights, Krence claimed a unanimous points victory over Zahid Kahut in the opening fight of the night.
Corbett, a semi-finalist in Prizefighter Cruiserweights I last year, again reached the final four with a points triumph over John Anthony but again could not reach the final.
Prizefighter Cruiserweights II
Results
QF 1 – Mark Krence (Chesterfield) beat Zahid Kahut (Dewsbury) – PTS – 30-26, 30-26, 30-27.
QF 2 – Jon-Lewis Dickinson (Durham) beat Leon Williams (Streatham, London) – PTS – 28-29, 29-28, 28-27
QF 3 – Darren Corbett (Belfast) beat John Anthony (Doncaster) – PTS – 30-27, 30-27, 30-27
QF 4 – Herbie Hide (Norwich) beat Wayne Brooks (Cardiff) – PTS – 30-25, 30-25, 30-26
– Hide withdrew from competition due to a bad cut. A coin toss between the two reserves declared that Nick Okoth would fight in the semi-final.
SF 1 – Jon-Lewis Dickinson beat Mark Krence. Krence retired at the end of the first round.
SF 2 – Nick Okoth (Ash, Surrey) beat Darren Corbett – PTS 29-28, 29-28, 29-28.
F – Jon-Lewis Dickinson beat Nick Okoth – KO round 3.